Match official stable after collapsing during Desborough Town game
Written by HFM News on 16th March 2026
Desborough Town FC says the quick actions of players and staff helped save the life of a match official who collapsed during Saturday’s home game.
The assistant referee was treated on the pitch shortly after kick-off before being taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
The cup match against Belstone FC was abandoned following the incident.
Desborough Town FC
In a statement, Desborough Town FC thanked Belstone captain Mitchell Swain, physio Alan Dunphy and Desborough physio Carl Mallett for reacting quickly when the official collapsed.
The club said Swain “calmly took control of the situation and undoubtedly saved the official’s life”, adding that the incident highlighted the importance of having a defibrillator available at the ground.
A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 3.07pm on Saturday 14 March to Desborough Town Football Club. The caller reported a medical emergency.
“We sent two paramedics in two ambulance cars and a crewed ambulance. We transported one patient to Kettering General Hospital.”
Desborough Town FC extended its best wishes for a speedy recovery to the official, while his family praised the swift actions of everyone involved.
